New Delhi: The Indian oil and gas sector is emerging as a vehicle for socio-economic change in the country, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Sunday.

"Over the years it has played its part in making energy affordable and accessible through the length and breadth of the country to drive the Indian economy in an inclusive and equitable manner in terms of generating employment, skill development, bringing in FDI, enhancing trade and boosting strategic partnerships," he said at the inauguration of Petrotech 2016 here.

"Internationally, the hydrocarbon sector is witnessing unprecedented technological developments. "Petrotech offers a unique platform to the international companies, service providers and technology companies to have interface with all India stakeholders at one place," he added.

The conference is scheduled from December 4 -7 at the Pragati Maidan exposition ground here, while the main conference will be inaugurated on Monday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pradhan has earlier said confirmation of participation had been received from many countries including Brazil, Russia, Venezuela, Oatar, Iran, Cyprus, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Bhutan.

On Sunday, a pre-conference to Petrotech 2016 was organised here with a view to accelerating efforts to empower women in the oil and gas sector.

“To save the environment and to fight climate change, my government has planned a major campaign. By 2022, we want to generate 175 GW of renewable energy. In the last three years, we have already achieved 60 GW or around one-third of this target,” he said.